How to Choose Tires for your Vintage Motorcycle

Restoring a vintage or classic bike is a rewarding labor of love. For some, this is about detailed restoration and recreating the perfect machine to treasure. While for others, it’s the build to ride and the opportunity to take to the open road on a vintage machine.

One important aspect of motorcycle tires is their vintage aesthetic. While it’s important the tires match the performance and handling of your motorcycle, it’s also essential that they complement the overall vintage look of your bike. By combining new construction technology with up-to-date profiles and designs, your tires can offer both the vintage look you desire and the great handling and modern reliability you need for an optimal riding experience.

Vintage motorcycle tires often have a narrower profile and knobbier tread pattern compared to modern tires. This reflects the fact that many vintage motorcycles were designed for use on dirt roads, which required a different type of tire than what is commonly used today. 

However, it’s important to note that narrower vintage tires may provide less contact with the road surface, which can impact handling and performance on paved roads.

Even if your vintage motorcycle was kept in extraordinary condition, chances are the tires have become old and brittle. Tire manufacturers advise replacing tires after five years. However, like modern motorcycles, this depends on many factors, including riding style and frequency, motorcycle type, and storage. 

So, if you’re restoring an old motorcycle, be sure to check the age and condition of the tires before taking it for a spin. Don’t assume they’re still safe just because they look okay. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your own safety on the road.

Here are some of the commons sign of tire wear to look out for:

• Drying out
• Hairline cracks
• Disfiguration/Flat spots
• Tread depth

Drying out

Due to manufacturing processes, vintage tire tread patterns were blocky, and the sidewalls were stiff. Over time, motorcycle tires lose the chemicals and oils used in the manufacturing process. As this evaporation occurs, the tire dries out, leaving it brittle. When this happens, the tire will crack. 

This problem can occur even if the motorcycle has its wheels off the ground. In addition, hairline cracks are a result of drying out and can be a sign that a tire is nearing the end of its useful life. It’s important to inspect your vintage tires regularly and replace them if they show signs of damage or wear.

Disfiguration/Flat spots

If a motorcycle is resting on its side stand, in time, as the tire deflates, the bike’s weight will rest in one place. Because tires are meant to have compliance and bend, this action leads to a flat spot in the tire. When this occurs, it may distort the sidewall and undermine the tire’s integrity.

Tread depth

A vintage tire may appear in good condition with sufficient tread, but don’t risk it on the road! Old motorcycle tires don’t have tire wear indicators (TWIs) molded into the grooves. These tell you when the tire is close to its wear limits. If in doubt, use a tire depth-measuring tool. Better yet, get advice from a motorcycle tire professional like a Dunlop Pro Dealer. 

Vintage Motorcycle Tires from Dunlop

Once you decide that you cannot rely safely on your existing vintage motorcycle tires, it’s time to research a replacement.   Dunlop Tires are the only operational US motorcycle tire manufacturer and can offer many options for your classic bike. These will help restore your bike to its former glory and ensure you enjoy the best of modern tire technology.

Your restored motorcycle may be a spitting image of the day it first rolled out of the factory, but you’ll be riding it in totally different road conditions. In the past 50 years, the number of vehicles on the road has doubled. To cope with this, you will need tires with rain-dispersing treads and modern rubber compounds to provide safer braking and secure handling.

Here are some of Dunlop’s motorcycle tire range that combines classic looks with contemporary features. These tires will ensure that your bike operates even better than it did when first manufactured.

K990

Back in the day, this was the tire of choice for off-roading. Moreover, the K990 is still popular with today’s modern motorcyclists. It retains a vintage look but features modern technology. As a result, it is most suitable for small-engine classic and vintage motorcycles.

K81/TT100 and K70

These Dunlop K81/TT100 tires have instantly recognizable tread patterns and were original equipment for the superbikes of the 70s. They allow you to stay true to the OEM’s design while benefiting from new tire technology. These tires are not only stylish but also offer great performance. In fact, the K81/TT100 was the first tire to average 100 mph around the Isle of Man TT race, making it a popular choice among vintage motorcycle enthusiasts who value both form and function.

K180

For over 50 years, classic motorcycle riders have been hitting the trails with the flat track-style K180 tire, which is DOT-approved. Inspired by Dunlop’s DT3 flat track race tire, the K180 features a rugged tread pattern that can handle off-road terrain.

Just because you own and ride a classic motorcycle needn’t mean you have to make do with vintage tire performance. The vast range of classic-style Dunlop motorcycle tires combines retro looks with cutting-edge technology.

For professional advice on the best tires for your vintage motorcycle, find your nearest Dunlop Pro Dealer here.